A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically implements a step change in the temperature of the fluid delivered to the patient. The step change is implemented prior to the patient reaching a target patient temperature. In the moments after (and in some cases the moments before) the step change, the controller monitors the rate of change of patient's temperature to evaluate whether the patient will reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change, and/or how long it will likely take for the patient to reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change. The controller then determines whether to reverse the step change or to switch to another algorithm for controlling the fluid temperature.

A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically implements a step change in the temperature of the fluid delivered to the patient. The step change is implemented prior to the patient reaching a target patient temperature. In the moments after (and in some cases the moments before) the step change, the controller monitors the rate of change of patient's temperature to evaluate whether the patient will reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change, and/or how long it will likely take for the patient to reach the target patient temperature without reversing the step change. The controller then determines whether to reverse the step change or to switch to another algorithm for controlling the fluid temperature.

A distributed-weight heating pad includes a weighted layer in between two covers that provides additional pressure on a user. The weighted layer has a plurality of pockets with weighted elements therein and formed with channels between pockets that allow or enhance articulation of the distributed-weight heating pad. A heating element layer is also disposed between the covers along with a controller and battery that cause the heating element layer to provide both conductive heating and radiation heating. Moreover, the controller may cause the heat from the heating element layer to have a ramping segment to quickly apply heat until a desired temperature is reached. Other devices and methods are presented.

A distributed-weight heating pad includes a weighted layer in between two covers that provides additional pressure on a user. The weighted layer has a plurality of pockets with weighted elements therein and formed with channels between pockets that allow or enhance articulation of the distributed-weight heating pad. A heating element layer is also disposed between the covers along with a controller and battery that cause the heating element layer to provide both conductive heating and radiation heating. Moreover, the controller may cause the heat from the heating element layer to have a ramping segment to quickly apply heat until a desired temperature is reached. Other devices and methods are presented.

An improved medical pad for contact thermal exchange with a patient includes a fluid circulation layer for containing a thermal exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, a first port and a second port for circulating the thermal exchange fluid in to and out of the fluid circulation layer, and a hydrogel layer interconnected to and extending across one side of the fluid circulation layer to define an adhesive surface for adherence to a patient's skin. The hydrogel layer can include an ultraviolet light-cured composition with a cross-linking copolymer, water, and glycerol. The hydrogel layer is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 1.9 ca//hr-cm-° C.

An improved medical pad for contact thermal exchange with a patient includes a fluid circulation layer for containing a thermal exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, a first port and a second port for circulating the thermal exchange fluid in to and out of the fluid circulation layer, and a hydrogel layer interconnected to and extending across one side of the fluid circulation layer to define an adhesive surface for adherence to a patient's skin. The hydrogel layer can include an ultraviolet light-cured composition with a cross-linking copolymer, water, and glycerol. The hydrogel layer is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 1.9 ca//hr-cm-° C.

A fungal infection treatment includes a container comprised of a thermally conductive material. In this way the container can be heated by the boiled water when the boiled water is poured from the cup into the container. A cover is positionable on the container to close the container to inhibit the boiled water from being spilled from the container. A drape is provided that has an opening extending therethrough. In this way the drape can be positioned on a respective one of the user's appendages having the opening exposing a nail on the respective appendage. The container is positionable in the opening when the drape is positioned on the appendage. In this way the container can transfer heat from the boiled water to the nail on the respective appendage for treating a fungal infection of the nail bed.

The invention preferably relates to a device for hyperthermal treatment of itching and/or herpes diseases comprising a control device on which at least two treatment programs are stored and an interface for a selection of one of the at least two treatment programs by means of a mobile device, so that after actuation of an operating element the control device heats a treatment surface according to the selected treatment program to a treatment temperature between 40°-65° C. and holds the treatment temperature for a treatment duration between 1 and 12 seconds.

A radiant heat foot warming device including a top planar surface configured to emanate radiant heat therefrom to warm feet of a user; a bottom planar surface spaced apart from the top planar surface; a plurality of curved sidewalls positioned between and connected to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface; and an adjustable temperature control member positioned on the top planar surface that displays device temperature and further adjustably controls device temperature to regulate radiant heat emanating from the top planar surface.

A radiant heat foot warming device including a top planar surface configured to emanate radiant heat therefrom to warm feet of a user; a bottom planar surface spaced apart from the top planar surface; a plurality of curved sidewalls positioned between and connected to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface; and an adjustable temperature control member positioned on the top planar surface that displays device temperature and further adjustably controls device temperature to regulate radiant heat emanating from the top planar surface.